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Lesson 8 CEClang.66

TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LITERATURE

AUTHOR: Shannon McBride, Sweet Home High School; Sweet Home, Oregon

GRADE LEVEL : 11th grade

OVERVIEW/PURPOSE: Students will be reading literature written by American authors through out this year long English class. Each of my students comes with different views on America, literature and reading in general. I try to grab their attention and motivate them by this lesson and activity.

OBJECTIVE(s): 1.  TSW decide what freedom means to them by     freewriting and discussing the topic. 2.  After listening to a tape of the The Star Spangled Banner, TSWBAT freewrite about what the National Anthem means to them as teenagers and to our country. 3.  By collaborating with a group, TSW create a new and original verse for the National Anthem.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Tape of the Star Spangled Banner sung by Whitney Houston, Poster of Whitney,  Lyrics of the National Anthem.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES: Set: FREEDOM IS. . .    a.  Freewrite and discuss their answers b. How did people of the past feel about freedom? Differently than us of today?

TRANSITION: Today we are very lucky to have the famous musical artist Whitney Houston with us. We will listen to her sing The Star Spangled Banner And then do some free writing, discussing and a group activity.

While the tape is playing think what this song is saying to you and what it means to Americans. A. Freewrite what this anthem means to you and our country. DISCUSS AS A CLASS! A. Think back to the words or the anthem, what do you think they say about our country? What did this piece mean to           people of the past? Do they still apply today? How ? Why? DISCUSS!!!

TRANSITION: Many things have happened and changed in our country since the National Anthem was written. So here is your chance to bring an important part of our country history up to date. Get into groups of two or three for this project. As a group, work together to rewrite or create a NEW verse for The National Anthem that fits your life or our society's life today. A. Show my example (OVERHEAD) B. Review Group Procedures C. Brainstorm and Group Activity.

CLOSURE: Get with a partner that was NOT in your group and share what you've written.

EVALUATION: My observation, their freewrites, discussion and final creation.